The people you meet – Debbie Hutchison nee Wallis

They say you can run, but you can’t hide …

I was in Yeppoon on August 8 and 9, staying at the pet-friendly Poinciana Tourist Park for a couple of days when I realised I needed some groceries from the local supermarket.

I thought instead of unplugging and disturbing the puppies, I’d grab a cab. Nice and quick.

The girls were happy to chill out in Rambling Rose while I was gone.

 

 

Grab a cab

About halfway to the shops, the friendly lady cabbie asked where I was from, and when I told her Tamworth, she immediately said: “The Country Music Capital!” (Got to love branding).

Shortly after that she added, “I’m from Warialda.”

You could have knocked me down with a feather!

–

Six degrees …

“I’m from Bingara,” I told her.

For those who might be geographically challenged, or not familiar with God’s own country, Warialda is 45km from my hometown of Bingara. Go figure.

We were practically the same vintage – and lived within 40 minutes of each other as children. Knew some of the same people, too, including some of my rellies in Warialda.

 

The long way from Warialda to Yeppoon

This gorgeous cabbie’s maiden name was Debbie Wallis – and she’s now known as Debbie Hutchison.

Born and bred in Warialda, Debbie moved up to Yeppoon about six years ago to help her son look after her grandchild.

She didn’t go directly there from Warialda, but did a bit of moving around until she found paradise – and paradise it is up there.

Debbie went out to Longreach, Pally, Beaudesert, Redcliffe and back to Warialda for a while before going to Narromine – then found her paradise in Yeppoon.

 

Loving life in the north

She fell in love with the beauty of the area – and also a local bloke – so she’s stayed on, enjoying the much warmer climes of life in the north of Australia.

A couple of years ago her partner’s father asked if she’d be interested in driving a cab for him and Deb jumped at the chance.

“It’s a great thing to do and you get to know so many people,” she said.

 

Country hospitality

On the way home from the shops, Debbie showed me the prettiest lookout – Wreck Point – with 360-degree views over Yeppoon. Simply magic.

I can’t believe I went all the way from Bingara to Yeppoon (approximately 870km) and met someone from home. It really is a very small world.